N.C. A&T Magazine Fall-Winter 2022-2023

said FHWA’s Pollack. “The technology N.C. A&T is developing Other transportation/autonomy research faculty
also has the potential to protect vulnerable road users— prominent in this work include Abdollah Homaifar, Ph.D.,
people who walk, bike or roll—by testing interactions with Leila Hashemi-Beni, Ph.D., John Kelly, Ph.D., and Steven
bike lanes, bus stops and more. These innovations are critical Xiaochun Jiang, Ph.D., as well as collaborators from
for ensuring the safety of all road users.” the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and North
Carolina State University under the NC-CAV Center.
Transportation research has a long history at A&T, beginning
with the Transportation Institute’s establishment in 1970 Throughout the history of autonomy at A&T, researchers
and expansion to the Center for Advanced Transportation have worked to expose undergraduate and graduate
Mobility, which continues innovative research regarding students to technology. Notably, A&T participated in the
vehicles, operators and infrastructure. four-year international AutoDrive Challenge organized
by SAE International and General Motors, and received
As a historically Black university, A&T has been a leader several awards including the second place in the overall
in preparing diverse populations to enter transportation- competition in 2019. Faculty researchers Sun Yi, Ph.D.,
related professions. The university is the home to the first Professor Daniel Acree, Younho Seong, Ph.D., and
Summer Transportation Institute, now funded by FHWA, Balakrishna Gokaraju, Ph.D., joined Karimoddini and
which has been running successfully for 30 years. numerous Engineering students on the AutoDrive team.

A&T is also home to the North Carolina Transportation These advancements in autonomous technology have
Center of Excellence in Connected and Autonomous been made possible through federal, state and local
Vehicle Technology (NC-CAV), founded in 2019, and the partnerships and funding from the National Science
Autonomous Cooperative Control of Emergent Systems Foundation, FHWA, the North Carolina Department of
of Systems Laboratory, or ACCESS Lab, founded in 2013. Transportation, Downtown Greensboro Inc. as well as
Both NC-CAV and ACCESS have worked to model, analyze industrial partners.
and improve solutions for complex transportation and
autonomy problems.

By Jordan Howse

Jose Matute, Ph.D., and Daniel his master’s during the pandemic. again and teach about that process.
Tobias ’17, ’22 are two of the student As an undergraduate student, Departments of transportation are
researchers who helped bring the he worked with Karimoddini on very interested in micromobility and
future to the present by creating various other autonomous research last-mile transportation and we at
software and building hardware that projects, which made him an A&T can help explore those options.”
enabled the functionality of Aggie excellent student researcher for the
Auto’s self-driving shuttles. autonomous shuttle project. For Matute, it’s a matter of real-world
application.
Matute, a post-doctoral researcher The students have worked on the
in the ACCESS and NC-CAV labs project for almost a year and started “I’ve done work on autonomous
with Ali Karimoddini, Ph.D., came integrating their code and hardware vehicles and a lot of that was done
to North Carolina A&T from Spain into the vehicle in June. Matute with simulation,” he said. “It’s very
where he earned his Ph.D. from and Tobias are interested in the rare to have a real autonomous
Tecnalia Research and Innovation socialization of the shuttles vehicle to work on and to work with.
Centre and developed his thesis and the public perception of the At A&T we have a lot of opportunities
dissertation on autonomous transit. self-driving vehicles. to learn about this technology
His previous work in Malaga, Spain, and how it will interact in real-life
sparked his interest in replicating its “It’s one part inspiration, one part situations. I hope it will help people—
success at A&T and in Greensboro. outreach,” Tobias said. “These not just academia or industry—be
vehicles can be like a lab for more comfortable and confident in
Tobias came to A&T as an students. We can take some of autonomy.”
undergraduate and decided to earn them apart and back together
NCAT.EDU 49

Aggie Academy Lab School:

Building an Aggie Legacy of Education through
Community, Relationships and Belonging

By Tonya D. Dixon ’04, ’21, Director of Digital Content

L ess than five miles from its growing “It’s really about changing the life trajectory and
physical campus, North Carolina A&T has disrupting some of the generational poverty that we
broadened its reach by establishment have had in our community,” said Price.
of Aggie Academy Laboratory School.
It’s not additional space for faculty research and “We will be able to use all the resources of N.C. A&T
experiments, however, the students will certainly with students at the elementary level. This means
have the opportunity to participate in similar hands- that children in the A&T community will have
on activities and instruction. the opportunity to really experience world class
innovations as they learn in a culturally responsive
The new science, technology, engineering, art and way with hands-on instruction. They will have
mathematics (STEAM) focused elementary school opportunities to visit the A&T campus; visit our farm
for third, fourth and fifth graders will primarily serve as they learn about science and environmental
students who live in East Greensboro. science; and campus laboratories as they learn
about physics and engineering.”
Students who may have encountered difficulties
in traditional classroom settings will be engaged Aggie Academy is an outgrowth of a 2016 North
in culturally responsive, sustaining and experiential Carolina General Assembly law requiring the UNC
teaching and learning. System to create “laboratory” schools to improve
student performance in regions that included low-
Paula Price, Ph.D., professor and dean of the College performing schools. Among six already in existence,
of Education (CEd) led the charge for establishing the system asked N.C. A&T to open a school as well
and maintaining oversight of the lab school. It’s a as other institutions.
passion project that she hardily believes will create a
launching pad for students to excel, cultivate a love The school was officially established in early 2022 by
of learning and propel them to subsequent grade- votes of the North Carolina A&T Board of Trustees,
level advanced placement. the University of North Carolina System Board of
Governors and the North Carolina State Board of
Education.

50 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

From inception to opening, the turnaround time Bridging gaps and gathering dedicated resources
required nearly warp-speed preparation and work, and individuals equipped to bring the Aggie
but the need was too important and the success of Academy vision to pass was also a necessity. The
the students too significant for delay. university tapped veteran education administrator
Anessa Burgman, Ed.D. as startup coordinator/
As students matriculate through Aggie Academy, project manager.
the university looks to positively impact the entire
family unit and community, continuing to fulfil its “It’s a great opportunity for children to have access
land-grant mission and responsibility. to career choices. They will be able to visit and have
visitors come and learn so many different things
“We’re excited that we will be able to expand about the world and not only hear about different
our reach to our public-school children and their careers, but see people who are in those careers,”
families,” said Price. “Community, relationships and said Burgman.
belonging are among the standards, values and
principles of the new school.”

It’s an exciting, innovative venture but not one
the university hasn’t already experienced. A&T
adds the lab school among its growing presence
and expertise in primary education as it currently
partners with Guilford County Schools (GCS)
housing the STEM Early College at N.C. A&T, the
A&T Four Middle College and temporarily the
Middle College at Bennett.

While the other schools are solely under the
authority of GCS, Aggie Academy will be fully
operated and staffed by the university, with limited
GCS partnership providing transportation, meals
and support services.

Being part of the A&T family means access to top “We will have small class sizes. 14-1. Students have
resources as well as the added benefit of student access to technology. Each child will have their
teachers and researchers from the College of own device that they can take home for continued
Education adding quality and value to students’ learning. The school will follow Guilford County
learning experiences. Schools’ calendar. We will have teachers in art,
music, PE and a special dedicated teacher to give
“One of the things that excites me, as the dean of our students [immersive] experiences in STEAM.
education, is that our educator preparation students We will focus on curriculum that is culturally
are going to be very visible in Aggie Academy. responsive and that connects to the children of
As they are learning to be teachers and working our community and provide them with hands on
on their certification, they will have hands-on opportunities to engage.”
experiences teaching children in Aggie Academy in
small groups for individualized tutoring and really Aggie Academy presents yet another unique
learning from the direction of the master teachers. It opportunity for A&T and the East Greensboro
is a win-win for everyone,” said Price. community to mutually grow and partner together.

“The children will be able to have extra help from “I think it’s wonderful for all of us, particularly as
some of our A&T students who are learning to be a university to really be able to expand our Aggie
teachers as well as the [master] teachers at the family to include younger children and their
school.” families,” said Price.

In addition to the high regard for the Aggie name,
the academy stands apart from the crowd through
small class sizes providing increased attention for
each student and access to university programs for
the entire family.

NCAT.EDU 51

FREEDOM SACTHN.CO. AO&TL:

By Tonya D. Dixon ’04, ’21, Director of Digital Content “Our scholars have been excited to learn through safe,
nurturing, non-violent, restorative, and literature-rich
At approximately 8:30 a.m., a synchronized and environments taught by committed college-age servant
jubilant chorus of affirmative chants, declarations, leaders,” said Sharlenceia K. O’Neal, Freedom School
celebrations, applause and accolades ring out from principal and site coordinator. “We want every child to
Proctor Hall at North Carolina Agricultural and love to read, develop a positive attitude towards learning
Technical State University. Following, a guest reader and know they can and must make a difference in the
shares from a favorite poem or book. On this day, world.”
Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., reads a capturing
story to enthralled students. Afterward, questions In addition to fully immersive, culturally relevant
ring out. Before the session concludes, the group and responsive learning and curriculum, Freedom
belts out a song to thank “the principal” of A&T (how School students were exposed to the innerworkings
Martin described his role at the university). of higher education and college life. A&T served as an
open laboratory for their learning, development and
The routine known as “Harambe”—a Kenyan term transformation. From 8 a.m. breakfast in The Marketplace
translated to mean “all pull together”—is a morning – one of the university’s dining halls – to daily interactions
staple for 40 3rd, 4th and 5h grade students enrolled in mock classrooms outfitted with grade appropriate
in the N.C. A&T Freedom School Summer Program. resources and housed in Proctor Hall, the comprehensive
experience broadened their horizons.
The College of Education (CEd), in collaboration with
funding sponsor Corning Corporation, facilitated the Nevertheless, additional resource procurement beyond
free, five-week-long academic enrichment program the university was necessary.
that ran from 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m., June 13-July 15.
In 2021, A&T and Corning kicked off a five-year
52 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE partnership with a $5.5 million gift to prepare students
for careers in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM), business, and education. While not
all dollars were allocated to the program, the Freedom
School benefitted from resources invested by the
university and Corning Corporation.

“The A&T partnership was a Corning-wide effort, that
extends beyond ORESU,” said Millicent Ruffin, Ph.D.,
director of Community Affairs for Corning’s Office
of Racial Equality and Social Unity (ORESU). “Our
component is unique in that we decided to fund the
College of Education. We believe to effectively encourage
students of color to pursue STEM careers, we needed
more teachers of color in STEM.”

“My group focuses on supporting underserved
communities, where our work will have the biggest
impact. We concentrate on the pillars of education,
community development and economic growth.”

Cultural Relevance, Targeted Groups, Tailored Curriculum

Allocated funding goes toward students of color in 2022 THEME:
elementary education and those working on their
master’s degrees. In 2021, ORESU supported eight Environmental and
undergraduate and four graduate students known as Racial Justice
Corning Scholars.

The Freedom School promotes the long-term success “I believe the N.C. A&T community should be proud of
of children by preventing summer learning loss through what we have accomplished in just five weeks. Scholars
igniting a passion for reading and inspiring a love of have had the opportunity to learn and grow, both socially
learning. The 5-week program fulfills its mission by and academically. They have learned to operate with
accomplishing the following: open-minds and a sense of possibility, knowing they have
the power to change their own circumstances and that of
• Delivering a culturally diverse curriculum that the world,” said Williams.
affirms scholars with engaging literature and
exposure to the broader community  “The leadership team and staff worked extremely hard
• Serving families and children who lack access to to ensure the program was more than a typical summer
quality summer enrichment opportunities  literacy initiative…and it was! We were intentional about
• Addressing the whole child by supporting their the messages we were sending the scholars, in content
academic, social and emotional needs and practice. Our goal was to grow the scholars into life-
• Offering a work-force development opportunity for long learners who are committed to making a difference
college students to gain professional experience, in the world. We never deviated from that goal as we
serve as positive role models and enter the teacher planned learning experiences and off-campus activities
pipeline or social service pipeline that would expand their thinking and aspirations of
• Collaborating with diverse community stakeholders wanting to lead in their communities.”
who contribute to and benefit from the partnerships

As the students became familiar with the Freedom For the finale, students performed Harambe, provided a
School process and cultural connection, the refrain special activity relating to National Day of Social Action,
became that of excitement, anticipation and comfort as highlighted what they learned throughout the summer
well as self-assurance to conquer challenges. experience and presented other activities to family
members and university supporters.
“The growth and confidence of the scholars since the
beginning of the program really shines through and I was “The work was not in vain as scholars showed academic
blessed to see [them] so motivated to learn more every growth and enhanced leadership qualities each week.
day. I feel that it is important to teach them that they I’m thankful Corning funded this great opportunity.
can make a difference in all that they do,” said O’Neal. “A Our program was truly a place where scholars felt safe,
quote that I like to leave my scholars with is ‘How can the confident, loved, and celebrated by staff who looked like
sky be the limit when there are footprints on the moon? them and came from similar backgrounds,” said Williams.
Dream Big!’”
“We created a sturdy bridge between the university and
Establishing and facilitating the university’s first Freedom community. I’m sure we’ll see some of the same faces in
School program didn’t happen overnight. CEd Associate future programming and as future Aggies! I firmly believe
Professor Brian Williams, Ph.D. served as the project there is no school like Freedom School and this is just the
manager and one of the program’s biggest supporters. beginning of A&T’s impact with the program.”

NCAT.EDU 53

A&T FASHION NNorth Carolina A&T students lit up the nation’s
MERCHANDISING top-tier retail and apparel brands this summer
STUDENTS INTERNING as interns at some of the most recognizable
brands in the world.
AT NATION’S
Students in the Fashion Merchandising and
TOP RETAILERS Design program, in the College of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences Department of
By Lydian Bernhardt, Interim Director of Communications, CAES Family and Consumer Sciences, completed
summer internships at companies that
include Winston-Salem’s major conglomerate,
Hanesbrands; lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters
and its satellite companies in Pennsylvania; and
New York retail giants Saks Fifth Avenue and
Bloomingdale’s.

“Most fashion students’ dream internship
experience is one that places them in areas
where they can be inspired by diverse
culture and creative viewpoints and immerse
themselves among major national and
international fashion brands,” said Elizabeth
Newcomb Hopfer, Ph.D., an associate professor
in the program. “Unfortunately, our N.C.
A&T fashion students have historically faced
challenges securing their dream internships,
in part due to longstanding discrimination
in the fashion industry that has reduced
opportunities for students from HBCUs.

54 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

“The other faculty members and “Women are the biggest consumers looking into HBCUs and expanding
I are exceedingly proud of each of fashion, period, because they buy into the HBCU audience. That’s
student participating in a summer for their entire family, so we’re trying something some brands won’t do
internship,” Newcomb said. “We to make the merchandise in the (N.C because they’re very stuck in their
are equally excited about the A&T) bookstore more to the female ways of certain things.”
connections that these internships audience,” said Faulkner. “‘What can
will afford the program to make we bring in?’ ‘What types of new In Pennsylvania, junior Mya Harris
for future students pursuing our products can we sell?’ We’re working is exploring the history of N.C. A&T
degree.” on those sorts of questions.” and working under women’s design
structure wear for Urban Outfitters’
Amberatta Faulkner, senior and Faulkner said that she appreciates Summer Class.
president of the student-led Champion’s willingness to expand its
organization Fashion XCetera, is demographic in age and culture. “This class has really been able to be
interning at Hanesbrands Inc., the in my zone as far as creating,” Harris
owner of brands such as Hanes, “They are very open to our opinions said of interning for the Philadelphia-
Champion, Bali and L’eggs. of how they can better their brand based lifestyle retailer. “Creating at
Working in the licensed sports and appeal to the younger crowd,” home—­ ­it’s different. But since I’ve
apparel field for Champion, said Faulkner. “Some brands are stuck been able to go out more and
Faulkner’s task was to help the on their consumer, but I feel like explore the world, and be involved
brand appeal to a younger, female Champion is willing to break out and in different aspects of the fashion
audience in college bookstores. go to different colleges. They’re industry, I’ve been able to push

FAULKNER MARSHALL HARRIS CHAVIS

NCAT.EDU 55

design. I’m also a theater minor, so I’m
passionate about the performance
aspect, and videography, as well. I
really enjoy being on set and being
able to network with people in so
many different roles.”

Marshall said shadowing the art
director, stylist, producer and other
team members were among the best
parts of the experience.

Senior Samya Gilliam-Frazier, left, and two other Free People student interns toured this “I’ve really been able to get a great
FP Movement store in Pennsylvania as part of their internship. understanding about the ‘before
process’ of these people, getting into
myself more creatively in what I do functional therapy. Dr. Newcomb the roles that they have and able to
come up with and design.” really worked with me and prioritized get a better understanding of my
helping me get into an internship.” strengths and weaknesses, and what
In what she described as a “triple I need to further work on to get into
internship,” Harris is balancing three Following a successful online some of these roles in the future,”
ongoing tasks: she is working on a interview with Free People – “I was just he said.
retrospective of what she’s learning trying to be as confident and happy
while working for the company; as I could be,” she said – Gilliam- Aniya Chavis has been making
being available for on-the-spot Frazier arrived in Pennsylvania as the rounds in New York City at
activities, such as photography; a design intern at FP Movement Bloomingdale’s as a buyer intern
and creating a collection that best for to-and-from casualwear. Apart for ready-to-wear portfolios at
represents her college. from her day-to-day tasks, such as Bloomingdale’s. Her responsibilities
filing summits, tech packs and other range from shadowing a senior buyer
“The basis of Summer Class is to tell allocation aspects, Gilliam-Frazier to starring in an Instagram video for
your school’s story,” said Harris. “For me, embarked on two ongoing projects, the retailer.
it is really important to tell the history one of which, like Harris’, involved A&T
of A&T and push the unknown facts. designs in the Summer Class. “One of the cosmetic buyers emailed
People know ‘largest public HBCU’ and the coordinator in charge of the
‘largest producer of Black engineers “For Free People, we have to design internship program and said, ‘We’re
and agriscience students,’ but people our own bodies and our own launching a new skincare brand at
don’t know, for example, the history of silhouettes. So, my pants are not Bloomingdale’s and we’d love for the
the Aggie bulldog or how the name sweatpants. I completely made the interns to come and volunteer if they
has progressed over the years.” pants. It’s completely my idea, which I have time and they want to,’” Chavis
felt was so creative. I’m so happy I had said. “So, I emailed them and said,
Samya Gilliam-Frazier, who is the experience to do that. Of course, ‘Yes, I’d love to volunteer and help
interning with Free People’s FP they need to have the A&T logo or you guys.’”
Movement (owned by Urban mascot. I did one bottom, one top, a
Outfitters’ parent company URBN) heavyweight and a sock.” From the 17th floor in the
in Pennsylvania, had to overcome Bloomingdale’s office building, Chavis
injuries from a car accident in May In New York City, senior Anthony and other interns acted in a montage
2021 before she could apply for the Marshall said that being on set was video of “customers” looking excitedly
internship this year. the biggest highlight of his photo into a shopping bag at a mystery
shoot production internship at luxury product, later revealed to be the
“For about two weeks, I was retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. retailer’s skincare lineup.
bedridden,” said Gilliam-Frazier, “and
then it was another two months “I started off wanting to be a visual “Having that experience, and getting
before I could start to use my left merchandiser,” said Marshall. “I’m the feel of how the fashion directors
hand and arm, after physical and passionate about styling and set work, was really fun,” said Chavis.
“Being on Instagram with my family
being able to see it, and getting the
exposure in different departments,
was probably the best thing out of the
experience.”

56 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

KEEPING IT REAL

Distinguished Professor and 2022 UNC
Award of Excellence in Teaching recipient
Robert H. Newman, Ph.D., challenges students
with the truth—even when it hurts.

By Jordan M. Howse, Director of Communications, COE

NCAT.EDU 57

DDuring his 10 years at North Carolina A&T, Robert H. and leads to in-depth understanding of biological
Newman, Ph.D., has worked tirelessly on his breakthrough concepts; experiential laboratory training that challenges
cellular pathway research and has excelled in mentoring students to think critically and pursue new avenues
students along the way. of scientific discovery; and effective mentorship that
promotes student success through open and honest
The University of North Carolina Board of Governors took communication with his students.
notice and selected Newman as the university’s 2022
recipient of the Award for Excellence in Teaching. “I have a special sense of satisfaction knowing that the
guidance and advice that I have given these students
The UNC Board of Governors recognizes a professor will positively impact both their lives and their careers,”
annually from each system institution with the Newman wrote in his nomination packet. “As I continue to
prestigious award. Established by the board in 1993 grow as an educator, I am excited to share the knowledge
to highlight the importance of teaching, the awards and skills that I have obtained in the classroom, in the
recognize the extraordinary contributions of faculty laboratory, and as a mentor with undergraduate and
members systemwide. Each of the winners received a graduate students who are in the early stages of their
commemorative bronze medallion and a $12,500 scientific careers, as well as with postdocs and even junior
cash prize. faculty members as they develop their research programs
at N.C. A&T.”
Newman, the Nathan F. Simms Distinguished
Professor in the College of Science and Technology Newman joined the Department of Biology in 2012 and
(COST) Department of Biology, said his teaching has taught a range of undergraduate and graduate
philosophy is built upon three core elements: clear courses. He has developed three courses and redesigned
and engaging classroom instruction that promotes three courses to incorporate active learning and authentic
student participation, sparks intellectual exploration, research experiences into the curriculum. He has worked

58 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

Newman believes it is
essential for him to provide
students with open and
honest assessment of the
situation, even if that
means asking tough
questions or helping
the student confront
hard truths.

diligently to develop a research program that maximizes even if that means asking tough questions or helping the
undergraduate student participation and scientific student confront hard truths.
development through independent research.
Corregio Peagler ’22, who was an undergraduate
“Dr. Newman has been a tremendous asset to the College researcher with Newman, said working with Newman
of Science and Technology,” said Abdellah Ahmidouch, as an undergraduate prepared him for his life after
Ph.D., COST Dean. “His work on cellular pathway signaling graduation.
could lead to medical breakthroughs and has yielded
millions in research dollars. He works extremely well with “During my freshman year, I expressed interest in
students, both graduate and undergraduate. The hands- being a part of (Newman’s) research lab,” Peagler said.
on experience and the skills they developed at his lab “Initially, I was intimidated by the complex topics that his
have allowed many of them to get to prestigious graduate research lab focused on. However, as I spent time with
programs or medical schools.” Dr. Newman, his ability to explain these complex topics
in a way that made sense to a freshman who had not
He also helped found the university’s first international seen this material before was unmatched by any other
Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) synthetic biology professor I have come in to contact with.
team, serving as the team mentor since its inception.
Synthetic biology is an emerging biological discipline that “As I prepare for medical school and have been exposed
uses molecular biology approaches to “forward engineer” to some of the material through my summer program at
biological systems to perform novel functions. To date, this the George Washington School of Medicine, I have relied
program has provided research experiences to more than on much of the molecular biology research skills and
35 undergraduate students and five high school students, knowledge he helped me cultivate in his lab,” he said. “I
leading to presentations at 11 scientific conferences. am proud to be one of his mentees and know that the
work ethic and science curiosity he instilled in me will
Newman said he believes it is essential for him to provide take me far in medical school and beyond.”
students with open and honest assessment of the situation,

NCAT.EDU 59

North Carolina native and
historian Arwin Smallwood, Ph.D.,
receives the Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr.

Award for Excellence in
Public Service.

HIS
WLIFOER’SK
By Jordan M. Howse, Director of Communications, College of Engineering

Smallwood’s extensive As a university that is ranked for its Arwin Smallwood, Ph.D., acclaimed
knowledge of how innovative teaching, it is no surprise A&T historian, was recognized by the
to any of North Carolina A&T’s board with the Holshouser Award, one
Indigenous Peoples, African stakeholders that professors here excel of the top two annual faculty awards
Americans and Europeans at not only teaching but mentoring, bestowed by the UNC System.
interacted in the state that researching and setting a positive
is now known as North example for their students. Smallwood is the first A&T faculty
member to be chosen for the honor,
Carolina has been invaluable What may come as a surprise is that which was first presented in 2014.
to many, including native this year marks the first time professors
North Carolinians. at A&T have received both University of A professor of history, Smallwood is the
North Carolina Board of Governors top interim vice provost for undergraduate
60 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE honors —the O. Max Gardner Award education and a Carter G. Woodson
and the Gov. James E. Holshouser Distinguished Lecturer, named by the
Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Association for the Study of African
Service—in the same year. American Life and History.

The Holshouser prize was launched In a video presentation recognizing Smallwood’s academic
in 2007 as the Public Service Award impact, his students lauded him for “seeing something in me
to “encourage, identify, recognize that I didn’t see in myself.”
and reward public service by faculty
of the university. Faculty of any of Smallwood digs deeply into the System before moving on to The Ohio
the 17 institutions of the University of stories of peoples too often ignored. State University for his doctorate.
North Carolina are eligible.” The BOG He ensures they are not lost to time
renamed the award for Holshouser but instead incorporated into this Serving in faculty positions at Ohio
two months after his death in 2013. state’s larger epic and shared with State, Bradley University, the University
Smallwood is its eighth recipient. both fellow historians and ordinary of Memphis and now A&T, he has
North Carolinians. amassed an exceptionally long record
Smallwood’s contribution to his of publications, including multiple
community begins with his love for Charles Johnson, Ph.D., the director books on topics ranging from local
the state of North Carolina. Raised of public history at North Carolina history (“Bertie County: An Eastern
in the northeastern area of the state Central, has worked with Smallwood Carolina History”) to international texts
and educated at North Carolina on several projects over the last (“The Atlas of African-American History
Central University for his bachelor’s five years. and Politics: From the Slave Trade to
and master’s degrees in history, Modern Times”).
Smallwood said he is truly honored to “He’s a phenomenal person who
receive the award. has always had a lot of spirit and Proclaiming his profound love
intelligence,” Johnson said. “What for the state of North Carolina
“It’s a recognition of my life’s work,” he strikes me is how much his subject and passion for telling its story,
said. “I have lived and worked in other matters to him and that comes Smallwood thanked his late parents,
states, but it is a great honor to come across in all that he does.” wife and family for encouraging his
home and be recognized with this scholarship. “I’m very honored to be
prestigious award. It means a great Johnson said Smallwood also makes here and to receive this distinguished
deal to me.” a concerted effort to give students award,” said Smallwood before being
research experience as well as make embraced by Chancellor Harold L.
diverse hires in the workplace. Martin Sr.

His extensive knowledge of how Along the way, Smallwood has made “This award focuses on individuals
Indigenous Peoples, African singular contributions to the history who are making a significant
Americans and Europeans interacted of this state, as BOG Chair Randall difference in our community, our
in the state that is now known as Ramsey and member Anna Spangler state and nation,” said Martin,
North Carolina has been invaluable Nelson made clear, calling him a praising Smallwood’s effectiveness
to many, including native North transformational public servant in transferring his passion for history
Carolinians. whose work speaks to the highest to his students by nurturing their
aspirations of North Carolina. excitement about understanding
“A lot of people do not know about our past. As BOG member Nelson
the precolonial history of our state,” he “N.C. A&T is indeed fortunate to have noted, “Through his teaching,
said. “Now that our state has doubled you as a member of its faculty,” said research and service, Dr. Smallwood
in size, this is my effort to educate UNC System President Peter Hans connects students with the
everyone about our history here.” in presenting the award. “The Board community at large.”
of Governors takes great pleasure in
Smallwood has made many presenting you the 2022 Gov. James E. In a video presentation recognizing
presentations to groups big and small Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Smallwood’s academic impact, his
over the past decade that reveal a Public Service. ... We are all immensely students lauded him for “seeing
scholar deeply knowledgeable in his grateful for your talent and your work something in me that I didn’t see
field of research. in making North Carolina a better in myself.”
place to live and work.”
Whether interpreting North Carolina “Having someone who knows you’re
history through deeds for enslaved Joined by his wife, son, daughter, capable and wants you to be the
people at an academic gathering or father-in-law and other family best professional you can be is just
making a presentation on the early members, a visibly moved Smallwood incredible,” they said.
history of Tuscarora Indians at the accepted the honor, taking care
Conference on Iroquois Research, to note he is a product of the UNC

NCAT.EDU 61

OWUOT ORFLTDHIS

FROM STARS, COMETS AND ASTEROIDS TO
SPACECRAFTS, FOR PLANETARY GEOPHYSICIST
LYNNAE QUICK ’05, SPACE ROCKS!

By Jordan M. Howse, Director of Communications, COE

62 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

NCAT.EDU 63

LYNNAE QUICK ’05 is one of a remember raising my hand and
handful of Black female planetary asking my teacher, ‘People actually
geophysicists. She studies the icy get paid to study things like this?’ And
moons of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and I was like, ‘Sign me up!’”
Neptune.
Luckily, in her senior year of high
Before reaching for the stars, she school, Quick took physics with a
started out as an Aggie Born, Aggie teacher who knew one of the five
Bred student at North Carolina A&T. A Black women at the time who had a
native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Ph.D. in astronomy and set up a phone
she graduated from James Benson call. The teacher put Quick in touch
Dudley High School and graduated with the astronomer and she advised
summa cum laude from A&T with Quick on what her path to studying
a B.S. in physics. She earned an M.S. astronomy could be like.
in physics, with a concentration
in astrophysics, from The Catholic “At 16, it sounded like a lot of school,
University of America. and I did not want to be in school that
long,” she said with a laugh. “But she
She even has her own piece of said to me that time is going to pass
space: Asteroid 37349 was named either way so you may as well get your
Ph.D., and that makes all the sense in
Lynnaequick in her honor. the world to me now.”

Quick obtained both an M.A. and a Her interests evolved from the life
Ph.D. in earth and planetary science cycle of stars to the characterization of
from Johns Hopkins University in planets. So, while working on her Ph.D.,
2011 and 2013, respectively. Between she reached out to Rosalie Lopez, Ph.D.
2013 and 2015, she was a NASA who was studying Io, a moon of Jupiter
Postdoctoral Program Fellow at known for its volcanic activity.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
in Greenbelt, Maryland. Lopez, who worked in Pasadena,
California, suggested Quick reach out
She even has her own piece of to Louise Proctor, Ph.D., and Elizabeth
space: Asteroid 37349 was named Turtle, Ph.D., who were closer to
Lynnaequick in her honor. the Washington, D.C, area at Johns
Hopkins. Quick interned with Proctor
As a research scientist in planetary studying Europa, an icy moon of
studies at Goddard Space Flight Jupiter that has an ocean beneath
Center, she studies the moves and its surface.
geological processes happening on
the moons, which includes volcanic “It’s kind of a winding road,” she said.
eruptions in the oceans beneath the “Getting your degree and getting your
icy surfaces of the moons. She uses Ph.D. and having so much of that be
math to model the features on the dependent on the person you work
moons’ surfaces. with, you have to make sure you find
someone who can work with you, who
Quick’s interest in planetary science believes in you and who doesn’t see
started in her earth science class at you as a stereotype.”
Dudley.
Quick has made significant
“One of the units was astronomy contributions to the study of
and we talked about the life cycle of cryovolcanism as a process on dwarf
stars and these big explosions called planet Ceres, including the formation
supernovas and that some of them of the enigmatic faculae, or “bright
end up as black holes,” she said. “I spots,” in which she was the first to
model the movement of material

64 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

from a deep brine reservoir in Ceres’ The spacecraft is intended to launch Planetary Systems Sciences section
interior to its emplacement via in 2024 and should get to Europa in of the National Society of Black
eruptions at the surface. She has 2030. Physicists (NSBP).
revisited modeling the formation of
lava domes on planet Venus and of “It won’t be the first spacecraft to go Her advocacy work to diversify the
cryolava domes on Europa and has to Europa, but we don’t have a lot of field is particularly notable. She has
repeatedly provided new insights into high-resolution images,” she said. “I’m mentored and taught early career
detection requirements for geyser- really excited to be a part of that.” planetary scientists and is leading the
like plumes and their associated Dragonfly Mission’s Student and Early
eruption products on Europa. In addition to her scientific pursuits, Career Investigator Program.
Quick is exceptionally engaged in
She has also placed constraints on the broader research community Before joining NASA as a civil
the propensity for volcanism on through her proactive leadership servant staff scientist, Quick was a
extrasolar planets and found that in space missions. This includes her staff scientist in the Smithsonian
a significant number of extrasolar work as a co-investigator on NASA Institution’s Center for Earth and
planets may be ocean worlds, missions such as Europa Clipper Planetary Studies, making her the
resembling the icy moons of the and Dragonfly; as a member of first African American staff scientist
giant planets in internal structure and the steering committee for NASA’s in the center’s history. She is the sixth
composition. Outer Planets Assessment Group; a African American woman to obtain a
member of the Planetary Science Ph.D. in planetary science.
Quick is now part of a team, led by Decadal Survey 2023–2032 panel on
Turtle, that built a camera that will ocean worlds and dwarf planets; and
be on a spacecraft to explore Europa. as co-chair of the Earth and

Quick is part of a team that built a camera
that will be on a spacecraft to explore Europa.
The spacecraft is intended to launch in 2024
and should get to Europa in 2030.

NCAT.EDU 65

ALUMNI NOTES

1980s

LEAVING THE FARM

By Jordan M. Howse, Director of Communications, COE

There was never another choice of research assistant in the plant science In 2004, Moses took over as the farm
college for LEON MOSES ’80. Growing department until 1983. superintendent and put his plan to
up on a farm in Northampton County, turn the farm into a premier model
North Carolina, he thought he wanted “I got fired from this job and went farm began.
to escape farm life and North Carolina straight to my mentor’s office, Dr.
A&T was going to be how he did it. But (Samuel J.) Dunn,” he said. “Dr. Dunn The first thing that had to change,
in 1976, his brother Ben brought him told me to go and keep working on his Moses said, was the culture. He had
to A&T’s University Farm. research, instead of what I was working to make sure the mindset of workers
on before. He told the professor who reflected that the farm should always
“My escape route turned to the place I fired me, ‘One day Leon will be doing look chancellor-ready.
spent every day since,” Moses said. more for this college than anyone else.’”
“For a lot of people, the farm is the
As the farm’s superintendent, Moses Moses worked as a research technician first thing they see when they drive off
oversaw and shaped the more than in plant science (now natural resources) the highway,” Moses said. “We’ve got
400 acres known as the university’s for 24 years. Then he started to work a team for beautification who are out
largest classroom. toward the superintendent position. there every week. We keep it to that
standard every single day.”
After more than 40 years on the “Then, the farm was dilapidated and
University Farm, Moses retired in kind of a thorn in the university’s side,” Moses, a hot rod enthusiast and Bible
June 2022. Moses said. “I wrote out a plan for the teacher, has been using his time in
farm and (Caroline Turner, former retirement to work on his three muscle
Moses graduated cum laude in May research supervisor) shared it with the cars and continue to lead as a deacon
1980 and started working at A&T the dean. I used that plan to build up what in his church, New Light Missionary
same month. He started as a we’ve been doing out here.” Baptist Church.

66 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

1990s Chris Harrison, coordinator of the landscape architecture program, works on a design with
a student. Harrison and some of his students won an international competition to design a
LAWREN E. GREENE ‘99 recently park in South Carolina honoring its history as a Black community founded by freed slaves.
completed a Ph.D. in information
technology project management at 2000s
Capella University. Greene earned his
B.S in economics at N.C. A&T, M.S. in W. CHRIS HARRISON ’07 won an international competition for his proposed
MIS at Kean University in 2004, and design of a planned new heritage-based public space in South Carolina’s
M.S. in HRM at Thomas Edison State Lowcountry.
College in 2014.
Harrison, who is also an assistant professor of natural resources and environmental
With over 25 years of experience design in N.C. A&T’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, created
delivering social web solutions, the design that will be used to create the John L. Scanlon Memorial Park near
Greene is the founder of Transaction Charleston.
City, a start-up global eMarketplace.
He also works on an emerging Harrison’s winning design for this planned half-acre park blends history and
online action comic and has written the natural world to tell the story of a marsh front community that lies near
two autobiographical poetical Charleston Harbor. The area was once home to Sewee Indians; the Gullah people,
anthologies. The New Jersey native the descendants of enslaved persons who live along the coast of the southeastern
resides in Tampa, Florida. United States; and former slaves who settled there after the Civil War.

ASHLEIGH WILSON has joined The proposed park design includes a spiral walkway that leads visitors to a spirit
The Washington Post as an SEO circle in the park’s center. There’s also a weave pavilion, which is a living sculpture
editor after serving as an audience of interlaced willow trees that resemble the baskets made by the Gullah people.
engagement producer at the The design also includes several cast bronze statues; plantings of rice, cotton
Houston Chronicle, where she led and indigo, which were once grown on nearby plantations; and virtual and
the dayside programming of the augmented reality features so visitors can use their phones to hear the stories of
homepage, tracked audience data these people and where they once lived.
and trends, optimized content and
projects, and was the deputy editor of Harrison called his proposal Praise House Park because he envisions the entire
“HouWeAre,” a newsletter on identity, park to be a sacred space that serves as a refuge, gathering spot and a place
race and culture in one of America’s for spiritual reflection. A praise house was a simple wooden structure built by
most diverse cities. Previously, enslaved persons that served as the center of many Black communities during
Wilson was a web producer and and after slavery times.
Alexa briefing host at Newsday, a
homepage producer at the Arizona The memorial park will be named for John Scanlon, a Black carpenter who led
Republic and a digital producer in a cooperative association known as the Charleston Land Company. Scanlon and
New York. other former enslaved men purchased shares in the company for $10 apiece and,
in 1868, bought a 614-acre plantation.
The Northern Virginia native has
a B.S. in journalism and mass NCAT.EDU 67
communication from N.C. A&T.

ALUMNI NOTES

DESMOND L. KEMP ’04 graduated from Indiana University Purdue University-
Indianapolis in May 2022 with a Ph.D. in American Studies. Kemp is the first
African American to complete the program. While at IUPUI, he was named a
fellow for the Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy and the first
Emerging Africana Scholar for the Center for Africana Studies and Culture.
Kemp was awarded one of the top 50 Elite graduate students in April. In
September, he began a two-year fellowship with the ACLS Leading Edge
Fellowship program at the Deep Center in Savannah, Georgia, where he will
serve as the research and policy analyst.

Kemp men (Aggie Legacy), L-R: Anthony Kemp ’98, Arthur B. Kemp ’59 and ’65), Desmond
L. Kemp, Ph.D. ’04, Nathan Kemp ’15 and Arthur D. Kemp, Ph.D. ’80. Photo by Mia Moore

68 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

2020s

NASYA BLACKWELL ’20 has been chosen to participate in the 2022 Princeton in Africa
(PiAf) program as a Fellow with Emerging Public Leaders in Accra, Ghana for 2022–23.
Blackwell is the first fellow from North Carolina A&T and the only historically Black college
or university graduate in this year’s 27-member cohort.

PiAf develops young leaders committed to Africa’s advancement by offering yearlong
fellowship opportunities with a variety of organizations that work across the African
continent. The program matches talented and passionate college graduates with
organizations working across Africa for yearlong service placements. 

Since PiAf’s founding in 1999, more than 600 fellows have helped improve education
and public health, source fresh water and alternative energy, increase family incomes,
and more.

Blackwell, of Washington, D.C., graduated cum laude with a B.A. in political science and
a B.A. in English with a minor in Spanish. She was a member of the Blue and Gold
Marching Machine.

A semifinalist in the 2021-22 Fulbright Program grant cycle, Blackwell completed the
intensive Spanish language and culture program at Veritas Universidad in San Jose,
Costa Rica, as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar in 2019. She also completed the ISEP Global
Engagement program at the University of Ghana in Accra, and she served as an official
representative of the Department of State and Meridian International during the 2018 U.S.
Congress-Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program in Seoul, South Korea.

Blackwell works for the U.S. House of Representatives as a constituent liaison in the
office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton. Her government affairs portfolio
includes interning as a Congressional Black Caucus intern in the office of Congressman
Hakeem Jeffries and interning with the Historically Black College and University (HBCU)
Bipartisan Caucus in the offices of Congressman Mark Walker and fellow A&T alumna
Congresswoman Alma Adams ‘68.

TAYLOR MITCHELL ’22, a graduate of the environmental At N.C. A&T, Mitchell was a Student Government Association
studies program in the College of Agriculture and senator, president of the Earth and Environmental Science
Environmental Sciences, spent the summer as the inaugural Club and a member of the CAES Dean’s Student Cabinet.
1890 Universities Foundation intern on the U.S. House Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in sustainable
Agriculture Committee. The program seeks to connect systems at the University of Michigan with the ultimate goal
students from universities within the 1890 land-grant of earning a Ph.D.
system with exposure to public policymaking. 

On Capitol Hill, Mitchell got a first-hand look at
policymaking and the legislative process as it affects
agriculture, including production and commodity prices,
farm credit and farm security, rural electrification and soil
conservation. She also participated in research. 
 

NCAT.EDU 69

IN MEMORIUM

ALUMNI WILLIAM J. PETERSON, March 30 JAMES H. WILLIS ’63, June 1
(2022) THOMAS L. SEAGROVES, Feb. 18 RAYMOND W. WILLIAMS ’67, Jan. 20
THOMASINA W. SNELL, Jan. 1 THOMAS R. WOODSON ’65, Jan. 24

1900s 1970s

JOCELYN SANDERS-WARE ’00, April 1 ROSA BULLOCK ALLEN, Aug. 15
WILLIE J. BOULWARE ’73, Jan. 6
1930s CHERYL LEE RANSEY CHEEKS ’73, April 29
ELIZABETH L. CLANTON ’73, April 12
ANNIE M. BRIDGES ’39, April 6 DIANE D. DEAN ’71, Feb 18
CALVIN S. JOHNSON ’74, May 24
1940s DIANNE H. MANCINI ’72, Jan. 6
ISAIAH R. SHARPE III ’71, Feb. 23
STEPHEN B. CANTY ’47, May 1 CECIL L. WHITFIELD JR. ’77, Feb. 19
LACY H. CAPLE ’47, May 11 JOHN D. WHITE ’70, June 6
ROBERT T. EDWARDS ’47, Jan. 30 LIZZIE M. WILLIAMS ’71, Jan. 30
ROBERT L. MITCHELL ’47, May 9
1980s
1950s
CAROLYN Q. COLEMAN ’85, Jan. 26
MELVINE C. BLAKELEY ’51, March 16 JANICE M. GEORGE-JONES ’83, Feb. 8
WILEY E. BOWLING JR. ’54, May 2 ALLEN T. GIBBS ’84, April 7
ROLAND D. ELLIS ’59, June 1 WILLARD E. PALMER ’87, Feb. 27
GEORGE G. GEIGER SR. ’52, Jan. 27 CARLTON SPENCER ’82, Feb. 24
ELIZABETH L. HEILIG ’53, June 10
WADDELL PEARSON ’52, April 18 1990s
MOZELLA RITTER ’53, Feb. 3
ROLAND T. WALLACE ’57, March 7 ABAY GIDEY ’95, March 30
CLINE J. WARREN ’52, May 6 SUSAN G. HOFFNER ’92, Feb. 23
LISA D. HOPSON ’94, May 16
1960s TERRELL M. KING ’90, Jan. 1
SAMORI SELF ’96, May 31
SANDRA C. ALEXANDER ’69, June 10 LELYN K. WILLIAMS ’91, May 5
ALBERT J. ALSTON ’67, Jan. 28 HAROLD L. WILLIAMS ’92, April 25
LEWIS J. BELLINGER ’65, April 8
NANCY S. BEST ’68, March 14 2000s
JACK C. BLAKE ’68, Jan. 10
CATHERINE M. CHAMBERS ’60, Feb. 1 CECIL MITCHELL ’00, March 4
CHARLES DEBOSE ’60, Jan. 28
HUBERT “HUGH” EVANS, July 8 2010s
MARY C. HAYNES ’65, March 7
VANN H. MCDONALD SR. ’61, Feb. 18 DEVONTE L. BABILI ’14, April 11
GENE PAGE ’65, May 17 BRANDON J. CRUTCHFIELD ’14, Feb. 23
SYLVIA C. REDDING ’64, May 7 PURLAMBER J. FOSTER ’10, Jan. 18
LEROY STEWART ’66, Feb. 6 SHANICE T. JOHNSON ’16, March 31
ALFRED C. WADDELL ’66, May 4
SULLIVAN A. WELBORNE JR. ’61, Sept. 14

70 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

STUDENTS, JOSEPH DANZY, student services specialist, Office of
EMPLOYEES Financial Aid and Scholarships), Aug. 8
CHARLES DANIEL KEARNS, graduate student, mental
& OTHERS health counseling-rehabilitation, Sept. 29
(2022) TIMOTHY LYON “TIM” LINKER, assistant vice chancellor for
research administration, Division of Research and
Economic Development, Aug. 30
LAYAH G. MCCLOUD, sophomore, animal science, Oct. 15
AIYANNA T. ROACH, sophomore, psychology, Nov. 11
TATIANA ROBINSON, undergraduate student, liberal
studies, May 19
KANEYCHA D. TURNER, freshman, management/business
administration, Oct. 25

NCAT.EDU 71

PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCHOLARSHIPS

BROTHERLY LOVE

Pollard Stanford establishes the Stanford Brothers Endowment to support students
facing financial hardship and to honor the brothers’ gridiron legacy.

By Alana V. Allen ’07, Director of Alumni Communications 

In the late 1950s and ‘60s, the North seven siblings with Pollard being the
Carolina Agricultural and Technical oldest, Lorenzo, the middle son, and
State University athletics program was Carl, the youngest.
at an all-time high, winning numerous
championships in the Central “I initially was enrolled at the
Intercollegiate Athletic Association University of Wisconsin on a full-
(CIAA). For those enjoying A&T’s current scholarship my freshmen year, when
athletics success, the mood and my brother, Lorenzo, called me
euphoria were similar back in the day. In and asked would I transfer to North
the midst of that incredible period, three Carolina A&T to play football with
brothers came to A&T to play football. him,” said Pollard. At the time, I didn’t
They went by the name of Stanford. know it was a big deal for brothers
to play together in our conference,
The trio – Pollard ‘61, Lorenzo ‘61 and Carl and there was actually a feature story
’63 – not only brought a powerful family about us being the first siblings.”
dynamic to Aggie football, they became
the first group of three siblings in the All three brothers secured two CIAA
CIAA to play a collegiate sport at the football championship titles in 1958
same time in 1960. and 1959.

Sixty-two years later, the brothers POLLARD STANFORD In 1960, Pollard served as president

banded together once again – in of the Letterman’s Club of A&T,

person and in spirit – in support of A&T, establishing the when four freshmen—David Richmond, Franklin McCain,

Stanford Brothers Endowment in March of this year. The Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan) and Joseph McNeil —ignited

endowment was created to support students facing the national sit-in movement at the F.W. Woolworth

financial hardship at A&T. Pollard Stanford committed to store. Known as the A&T Four, the students refused to

the $1 million gift to honor the legacy of his late brothers, leave a segregated lunch counter after purchasing school

Lorenzo and Carl, and what they created in Aggie football. supplies. This simple act of defiance electrified the nation

and prompted similar sit-ins in other southern cities.

“This scholarship is meant to benefit those students

who could no longer stay enrolled in this outstanding “As an athlete and student leader, I felt obligated to get

institution of higher learning without the support involved with the sit-in. There were people down there

the scholarship provides,” said Pollard. “The Stanfords that I was extremely concerned about, and I wanted to

attributed all of their lifelong success to their years at represent all A&T athletes,” said Pollard.

North Carolina A&T State University. This is the brother’s

way of giving back. After all, that’s what Aggies DO – help In the first couple of days of the movement, students from

deserving students who really need the assistance.” A&T, Bennett College, James B. Dudley High School, the

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Guilford

From 1957-1960, the Stanford brothers, who are natives College joined in with the A&T Four. The Greensboro sit-in

of Englishtown, N.J., played together in the all-tackle would last from Feb. 1 to July 26, 1960.

positions. As players, they always kept their jersey numbers

in sync: Lorenzo #72, Pollard #73, and Carl #74. The “There is so much more to the story with the sit-in, it was a

brothers grew up in a close-knit family that consisted of lot of people involved that skyrocketed this movement off

72 N.C. A&T MAGAZINE

Please find graphic art for this article.

THE STANFORD BROTHERS (L-R): POLLARD ’61, CARL ’63 AND LORENZO ’61

the ground. There would be hundreds of students in the However, we still went downtown because it was the right
streets of downtown Greensboro coming each day, and it thing to do. There were so many athletes involved that no
became very difficult for the police to lock up everyone,” one lost their financial aid because there wouldn’t be any
said Pollard. players left on the respective teams,” he said.

During this time, the students involved in the sit- After things calmed down following the success of the
in suffered violence and degrading acts from being sit-ins, the brothers each graduated from A&T. Two of the
spat upon to enduring racial slurs. Others had food Stanfords secured positions to play in the NFL: Lorenzo
condiments smeared on their clothing, and some women was recruited to play for the Dallas Texans [which later
protestors had handfuls of hair pulled out. became the Baltimore Colts], and the [CFL’s] Hamilton
Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, Ontario, for seven years. Carl
“In the first couple of days, I was standing in the restaurant, played for the Detroit Lions for three years.
and I could feel a group of white men staring at me. I
could hear them saying very loud, due to my size, ‘This is a “Black professional players were not paid a lot of money in
bad n----r, burn him with a cigarette!’,” recalled Pollard. “The the 1960s, and for some, if you wanted to play sports, you
next thing I know, one of the guys walks towards me and would have to move to Canada for the opportunity,” said
took his cigarette and placed it on my chest, I could smell Pollard. “I really looked up to my brother, Lorenzo, mostly
my skin burning, and I never fought back. because he was an All-American football player and was
inducted into the North Carolina A&T Sports Hall of Fame.”
“When those boys didn’t see me react, they backed up
and I could see it in their faces they had made a mistake. After graduation, Pollard pursued a career in social work
They called us everything and would shoot their shotguns in the state of New Jersey. He retired after 32 years of
in the air chasing us back to campus.” service and moved back to Greensboro. He is the only
surviving brother and continues to share their legacy with
The sit-ins were probably the most dramatic events the public through articles in various news outlets.
during Dr. Warmoth T. Gibbs’ tenure as president of A&T.
The administration received a lot of pressure from state “For years, I have been a dedicated and devoted donor to
government officials to expel students involved in the North Carolina A&T, and I believe that all alumni should
movement. contribute to our great university,” said Pollard.

“I was threatened that I would lose my scholarship for
being involved, and other athletes received threats as well.

1601 East Market Street _____________________
Greensboro, NC 27411 N__o_n_-_P_r_o_fi_t_O__rg_a_n__iz_a_t_io_n_
____U_S__P_o_s_ta_g__e_P_A_I_D____
www.ncat.edu ____G_r_e_e_n_s_b_o__ro_,_N__C____

Permit Number 47
_____________________

JSNN, DEVCOM SOLDIER CENTER PARTNER
TO ENHANCE NANOSCALE MATERIALS
FOR SOLDIER PROTECTION

INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE LABORATORY FOR A new partnership between the U.S. Army Combat
NANOTECHNOLOGIES TO EMPOWER THE FUTURE SOLDIER Capabilities Development (DEVCOM) Soldier Center and
the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering at
Gateway Research Park will develop advanced nanoscale
materials for soldier protection that promise to be lighter,
faster, safer and stronger than ever before.

The Innovative Collaborative Laboratory for
Nanotechnologies to Empower Future Soldier (ICONS),
initiated by a $1.05 million cooperative agreement from
the DEVCOM Soldier Center, is the only collaborative
lab of its kind in North Carolina and the first established
with a historically Black college or university (HBCU) or
minority-serving institution (MSI) anywhere in the nation.
ICONS will be co-led by two JSNN professors, Kristen
Dellinger, Ph.D., in the Department of Nanoengineering
at N.C. A&T, and Tetyana Ignatova, Ph.D., in UNCG’s
Department of Nanoscience.